Knicks Face Evans, Walsh’s First Choice?

by Tommy Dee on November 25th, 2009 at 5:18 pm


I mean, what’s not to like about Tyreke Evans?

I credit Gym Rat Mucha for pushing for him around the time of the draft. Soon after his stock soared through the roof.

I knew he was good. He’s big, strong, and an athletic guard who is proving right away that can bull his way to the paint and finish at the NBA level. Great combo guard prospect, who can also play the point.

Let’s face it, he was an NBA body at 17, and after getting to know him a bit you can tell that he’s very grounded, despite the attention that he drew on and off the court as a teenager. My perception was that there was an issue with an incident, but after asking questions and learning more, I came to realize that he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was never charged.

I’ve heard from numerous people, including those from Tyreke’s camp, that Donnie Walsh, who has drawn the ire of fans for not taking Brandon Jennings, had him ahead of Stephen Curry all along, despite Curry’s pleas to end up in New York.

Much like Walsh’s fascination with O.J. Mayo, whom the Knicks GM told me last year was mentally the, “most ready to handle the NBA” as much as any player “he’d seen in some time,” Walsh knew Evans was ready to step in day one and contribute at the guard position. Walsh was also reportedly very high on Russell Westbrook, but couldn’t move up into the top 5.

Let’s face it, the Knicks are, and have been, short on assets.

As we know when the Warriors drafted, Walsh knew that with both Curry and Jordan Hill, the top two on their big board available, that they felt they were going to get a good player.

Tonight in Sacramento the Knicks will get a first look at Evans in a Kings uniform. Evans is off to a fast start, and I’m looking forward to seeing if he can continue to impress.

One has to wonder just how many minutes Hill and the Knicks other rookie Toney Douglas will receive after impressive performances in mop up time last night in LA.

Mayo, Westbrook and Evans aside, the Knicks are happy with the trio that Walsh has drafted of Douglas, Hill and Danillo Gallinari moving forward and their fans should be as well.
  • Magik_Trick

    In ’08, Walsh’s guys were Mayo and Westbrook

    In ’09 Walsh’s guys were Evans Rubio, and Curry

    Why is “Walsh/s guys” always a point guard….yet, we still havent drafted a point guard in the lottery?

    But back on topic, Evans is an outstanding talent, future all-star, and just an amazing guy on and off the court

    and I’d love to see Hill, Douglas, hell..even Landry get major minutes…but apparently D’Antoni is against the youth movement so whatever…

  • The_Guy

    Rubio was the target.

  • Knicks4life

    This has to be the most frustrating year I’ve ever experienced as a Knicks fan and I’ve had too many to remember.

    I think Evans will be a good player but not among the upper echlon of PGs like Rose, Paul, Williams, and yeah even Jennings. Some great young PGs out there (except on the Knicks of course).

    My list of top ten (young) stud PGs:
    Chris Paul
    Deron Williams
    Derrick Rose
    Rajon Rondo
    Brandon Jennings
    O.J. Mayo (if we can consider him a PG)
    Jameer Nelson
    Devin Harris
    Russel Westbrook
    Tyreke Evans

    Honorable Mentions: Aaron Brooks, Johnny Flynn, Ty Lawson
    Darrin Collison

    Tony Parker isn’t young anymore otherwise he would be right behind Paul.

  • itzyung1

    We really shouldn’t doubt Walsh’s drafting skills. He wanted Westbrook and Ty Evans. Imagine our backcourt of Westbrook and Ty evans thats better than the Jennings and Gordon backcourt many have stated.
    BUT you know things don’t always go our way and Im happy with Gallo and J Hill.

  • blackwood

    itzyung1….The difference is that we never had a shot at those guys and everyone knew it while we should at the very least have a Gordon-Jennings back court and i dont know how the other 2 guys would be better then these two (who we could of had!) but I could run with them being equally as good because all 4 players are studs!

  • The_Guy

    @ itzyung1 – Not True. A Russell Westbrook-Tyreke Evans may be better defensively (but not THAT much better), but they wouldn’t work well together. They’re both ball dominant and neither can shoot the 3.

    Brandon Jennings has proven he can defend on this level, and Eric Gordon is already an above average defender. Plus they can both shoot the ball with unlimited range, and both Jennings and Gordon (he actually plays some PG in L.A.) have shown the ability to play on and off the ball.

    I prefer a Jennings-Gordon backcourt. Good defense, good shooting, great versatility. If you remember before the draft, Russell Westbrook made some noise telling people that he wasn’t crazy about the idea of the Thunder picking Ricky Rubio. When it was suggested that he move off the ball, he was like “I’m a PG.”

    Jennings is effective on and off the ball, sharing minutes with Luke Ridnour at both backcourt positions.

  • itzyung1

    Whether we had a shot or not is irrelevant to my point. Im just saying Donnie wanted a Ty Evans and Westbrook back court which would immediately be one of the best.Maybe we will start seeing why he drafted Hill and Gallo in a while.

  • Its The Kid

    Might as well be telling us, Walsh really liked Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose too… He needs to concentrate on picking the right guys that are left after the “Walsh Guys” are gone…

  • itzyung1

    Ty Evans and Russell Westbrook are way better defensively its not even close.Mainly because they are way undersized compared to the Ty Evans-Westbrook back court. I won’t comment fully until I watch Ty Evans work off the ball but I know this Ty-Westbrook back court is better not only because of Defense but because of the Mismatches it causes.

  • itzyung1

    Blake and Rose don’t even count because they were number 1 picks, they are at the Top Of everybody’s list. We expected people like Ty Evans and Westbrook to be there when we picked.

  • The_Guy

    Not true. Brandon Jennings wouldn’t be playing if he wasn’t a good defender. Scott Skiles wouldn’t allow it. Jennings is alot better defensively than people give him credit for, while Eric Gordon is a very good defender. He played Kobe about as well you can play him earlier this month. He has a ridiculous wingspan so he plays bigger than his size.

    Westbrook-Evans can’t shoot like Jennings-Gordon. I admit they have an advantage defensively, but that’s mainly because of their size, but it’s not like Jennings and Gordon are bad defenders. Jennings is at least average, while Gordon is above average, while they’re both above average shooters.

    Westbrook and Evans are above average defenders but below average shooters. I’ll take Jennings-Gordon.

  • traps9

    Either way, Jennings-Gordon would’ve been nice in this system.

  • blackwood

    itzyung1…..you just dont get it or dont want to get it! The point everyone is making is everyone wanted the guys your say walsh wanted it was like these guys where secret gems lol. What matters is what they guy did (or did’int do) with the picks!! and we are sick every night talking about no go to guy and no PG Captain Alzheimer let the guys we needed go right on by!! Our back court should be the best in the NBA right now!! Thanks donnie!! hope you have a good thanksgiving because those where 2 turkey moves in the last 2 drafts!!

  • blackwood

    Hey guys since we want to imagine just imagine what a 3 guard starting line up of Jennings,Gordon and Wade would be like!! or replace Wade with Lebron and well yea you get the picture!!! Thanks donnie!!

  • itzyung1

    Never said Jennings wasn’t a good defender. He tries his best.
    Ill take the better defensive back court for the simple reason of defense and Westbrook and Ty Evans can get better at shooting BJ or Gordon will never have defensive tools that Ty and Westbrook have.

  • itzyung1

    No you are just completely missing my point all I said was people should respect Walsh’s drafting smarts because at least those guys were even on his list. Would they have been on Isiah’s?
    But this is all ima say to you…

    “A Wise Man Once Said Dont Argue With Fools, Cause People From A Distance Can’t Tell Whose Who”

  • the oak

    Get over it Blackwood, get over it.

    Are you going to think about it all year? For the 100th time,
    GET OVER IT

  • Mucha

    I appreciate the shout-out, thank you.

    Tyreke Evans is special, I think he’ll be a dominant player in this league. I love his ability to go to the basket and his ability to handle the basketball despite his strong, 6’6 body. I also like the fact that he doesn’t have to rely on his athleticism (he’s not a high-flyer) to get buckets in the paint. He’s a gem.

    The fact that Donnie Walsh liked Tyreke Evans doesn’t surprise me. I wonder if he had the opportunity to trade up for the 4th pick on draft night (Jrue Holiday and Wilson Chandler for Tyreke Evans?) but I think I know the answer.

    Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon… this backcourt would be PERFECT. But let’s see how good Jordan Hill is, he’s a good player as well.

  • blackwood

    itzyung1….thanks for the advice your right you are a fool!! and from the quote i see your an undercover nets fan!! Keep the internet gangster talk to a minimum lame!! Sounding retarded “daaa at least he had the best players in the draft on his list daaa” lol go take a ur meds and fall back saying nonsense or resorting to name calling because your to much of a clown to defend your moronic statement!! Stevie Wonder would have had those guys on his list lame!!

  • Mucha

    Undersized though

  • blackwood

    oak how are you coming out of the blue of me and yong1′s convo telling me to go over it when the whole convo others and I where having revolved around players donnie did not get or wanted but could not get!! Dont be mad at me if your boyfriend blew 2 drafts! take it out on him!! Any Knick fan not mad every night u see Jennings on sports center is a fair weather fan! but hey I have a right to my feelings and views just like you so do me a favor stop trying to censor me and feel free to scroll past any of my opinions you dont feel are valid.

  • jaknicksfan

    I Think we all Need to forget the past 2 drafts We Have Good Players With Gallo And Hill. They will Be our starting forwards for years to come. Relax and stop whining. You can’t change the past!